Immortalism and Life Extension

I will live forever, or die trying.

One of the most important tasks of Transhumanism is the pursuit of Life
Extension and eventual immortality, since aging and death represents are
two of the most immediate hinders for total self-transformation
and personal freedom. Overcoming death is also a social and psychological
problem, since most of human culture is based on the assumption of the
eventual death of every person. A final argument for the pursuit of Life
Extension and Cryonics is that
many of the visions of Transhumanism will probably not be possible within
our (unaugumented) lifetimes.

Life Extension is directed towards finding ways of slowing and halting
aging, and possible repair of age-induced damage. The goal is to extend
the active, healthy years, not just to add more time to be old. There
may be limitations to this approach which cryonics
and uploading seek to circumvent.
Cryonic suspension
is based on the possibility that people who are cryonically preserved
today may be possible to revive in some (distant) future. See the cryonics
page for more information. Uploading (see the uploading
page for more information) seeks to escape from the biological body
altogether.

There is no shortage of suggested methods of increasing lifespan and
slowing aging. At present there exist some treatments that show promise
in the lab (such as telomerase or genetic modifications) but are not yet
useful for humans, some which appear to promote health but whose long
term anti-aging effects remain to be seen (hormone supplementation and
caloric restriction) and many treatments (such as antioxidants) of uncertain
usefulness.

Miscellanous

Pondering
Evolution by William Markiewicz (The Vagabond #9). Points out the
importance of creative experiences to limit ageing; while I disagree with
the article about the existence of a built-in defense against ageing,
I agree with it that creativity and "high" experiences can slow
it.